Celebrating 175 Years

The most significant occasion in the family's history was undoubtedly the 175th anniversary celebrations which started on 22nd December 1989 and culminated in the family reunion in January 1990. That occasion generated a lot of family pride and intense interest in the family history. A reunion committee had been working together for the previous two years planning a series of events and other matters including fundraising, publicity, advertising, publishing the family history, a family tree etc. The highlight of 1989 was the re-enactment of the arrival of the first settlers and missionaries at the original Rangihoua mission site. Chief Guest of Honour was the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves. Two years later in 1991, a Hansen Memorial was unveiled at Oihi by the next Governor General, Dame Catherine Tizard. Click here to read Stan Hansen's speech at the unveiling.

PHOTOS! For those wanting a trip down memory lane, you can click the following links to jump down to see photos from the Hansen Family 175-years Reunion...